The Woman at the Well

T

Note:  There was something radically different about the Lord Jesus.  He treated women with respect. He treated them like they were people not property.

St. John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ, when he is come, he will tell us all things.

The Woman at the Well informed Jesus that when The Christ would appear the people would listen to him.

St. John 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.  

 St. John 4:27 – And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, what seekest thou?  Or, why talkest thou with her?

What man is this who takes time to speak to a woman?

The disciples did not question the Lord’s motives in speaking with this woman.

The disciples were surprised that Jesus would take time to speak with a woman. They were also surprised that he would speak with a Samaritan woman.  The Samaritan people were half Gentile and half Jewish.  Therefore the Jewish people despised them because they were not full blood Jewish.  The Samaritans were treated as inferior by the Jewish people, St. John 4:9. Imagine how the disciples felt when they eye witnessed Jesus speaking with      1. A woman.       2.  A Samaritan woman.

During this time men treated women as inferior and second-class citizens.

Encarta World Dictionary interpretation of inferior:

     Lower in standing: lower or low in rank, standing, or degree

 Not as good: lower in quality or value

 Mediocre: failing to meet a standard of quality, ability, or achievement

The woman at the well did inquire of Jesus why he was speaking to her – a Samaritan woman, St. John 4:9.  Jesus did not take the time to explain why he spoke with her. An insignificant subject – (without importance: too small and unimportant to be relevant)  Jesus knew the prejudices of men.  However, Jesus was not like men, Isaiah 55:8,9. He being the Creator of man and woman came to make male and female one (through His Spirit)  in the church, Galatian 3:28.  His mission on earth was to impart the knowledge of God unto men and to become a sacrifice to save men and women from the wages of sin, Titus 2:14.

 The Lord’s motive with the Samaritan woman was to enlighten her with the knowledge of who He represented and to stimulate her carnal mind concerning The Living Water that He offers to all thirsty souls.  The Living Water represents The Holy Spirit of God.  Jesus took her mind on a higher level and she rejoiced through her faith that He was The Christ.

St. John 4:28 – The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 – Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ.

The woman at the well ran off to witness of Christ.  She had not received The Holy Spirit at that time, but she had received a limited amount of knowledge spoken by The Word incarnate – Christ himself! St. Luke 24:31-32  The Holy Spirit was not given unto anyone as an abiding saviour until Christ had departed from earth and later sent The power of The Holy Spirit on The Day of Pentecost for all that would exemplify Faith in the Gospel, and remain with the believers forever. St. John 16:7, Hebrews 13:5, St. Matthew 28:20.

The Day of Pentecost – The birthday of The Christian Church because of The Coming of The Holy Spirit in the lives of the Christian believers.  Acts Chapter 1.